B09_RFP_L3921R0011_QuestionsAndAnswers_final_0002.pdf

Watt Street Housing Renovations Issuing Office: BLM Nevada State Office

Location: BLM Battle Mountain District Office Solicitation Number: 140L3921R0011

SOLICITATION QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

IMPORTANT NOTICE TO ALL CONTRACTORS:

Consistent with guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Safer Federal Workforce Task Force, and the Federal Protective Service COVID-19 Guidance Update, the Department of the Interior is establishing specific safety protocols for fully vaccinated people and other than fully vaccinated people entering our buildings and other facilities.

By submitting a quote in response to this solicitation you are agreeing to this requirement and understand that contractors who are required to work on-site in Federal buildings or Federally controlled indoor worksites must submit a Certification of Vaccination following award.

Those employees that are not fully vaccinated must comply with the following safety protocols while in a Federal facility:

• Wear a mask regardless of the level of community transmission;

• Physically distance; and

• Provide proof of having received a negative COVID-19 test from within the previous 3 days

If a selected contractor and/or their employee fails to complete the signed attestation or obtain a required negative COVID-19 test, they may be denied entry to a Federal facility.

1. Are all six houses and land owned by the BLM? This is pertinent for permitting and other considerations.

A1 Yes, all 6 houses/land are BLM property.

2. Can you provide a copy of each report, inspection, and plan mentioned? Of particular interest are those reports associated with asbestos. An emailed copy or a post to SAM would be very beneficial. (Ref:

SOW, pg 42, para 1.4) It does not seem there are attachments to the SOW. (Ref: SOW, Pg 44, para 4)

A2. Amendment #001, issued 08/08/2021 included specifications, the home inspection reports (from 2014) and the building plans that were referenced in the SOW. As stated in the SOW, Asbestos report is not available, and it is contractor’s responsibility to determine what materials contain asbestos and take actions that are needed/required for the appropriate repair.

3. If the asbestos reports cannot be made available before 18 August, approximately when will the Government provide the reports for each house?

A3. Asbestos reports cannot be found/located; therefore, no reports can be made available. It’s reasonable to expect the walls could contain asbestos. It is contractor’s responsibility to determine what materials contain asbestos and take actions that are needed/required for the appropriate removal/disposal/repair.

4. We are very familiar with OSHA guidance concerning asbestos. Will the Government clarify its desired outcome regarding asbestos? The specification “Take appropriate actions to maintain and mitigate the asbestos” is not detailed nor specific for us to create a plan of action at this time.

A4. Meet all OSHA, Federal, State, and local requirements/regulations. Contractor must create/design his/her plans in such a way to fulfill all requirements of governing agencies.

5. What inspections were made since 2014? (Ref: pg 42, para 1.4 (b))

A5. No formal inspections have been made since 2014. Contractor is held responsible only to the work specified in the SOW and Solicitation documents.

6. Will water and electricity be on in each house throughout the period of performance?

A6. Yes.

7. Will all houses (particularly those now occupied) be free of debris and clutter when work begins in each of them? (Ref: SOW, pg 149, para 3.1, (c))

A7. Yes. However, it will be Contractor’s responsibility to remove items that are attached to the structures such as shelves in the garages.

8. Approximately when will funding be known for Options 1-3? (Ref: SOW, pg 44, para 3.1, (c), (d))

A8. The funding will be known at the time of award. The option homes will be awarded or cancelled at that time.

9. Can the government provide additional clarification and comments on the following topics:

a. Removal of privacy screen or structural details for post under beam for all buildings.

A9a. All decorative/privacy blocks/screens shall be removed. All posts be replaced in kind, painted, and placed with appropriate connections to the beams at top and slab at the bottom.

b. Address existing washer and dryer nook door install or deletion from SOW on all buildings.

A9b. Washer and drier closets shall remain as is without any doors. The requirement to add doors to the washer/dryer storage areas will be eliminated from the SOW and not included in the contract.

c. Reference SOW, page 9, paragraph 19d (and similar to other buildings) – Will the back concrete remain?

A9c. All concrete slabs in backyards shall remain as they are.

d. Reference SOW, page 3, paragraph 4a (and similar to other buildings), clarify 1 piece or 3-piece tub for all buildings.

A9d. The SOW requests a one-piece unit however there could be issues with the size of the unit and access into the bathroom. A multi-piece unit, tub plus three side walls is acceptable.

e. Reference SOW, page 5, paragraph 6d (and similar to other buildings) - Specify dish washer location and size for all builds.

A9e. Dishwasher shall be approximately 24’’ and next to the refrigerator against/behind the bedroom wall.

f. Reference SOW, page 7, paragraph 5a (and similar to other buildings) - Clarify remove and replace fascia.

A9f. Remove existing vinyl layers from fascia and soffit, and expose wood facia, soffit, and rafters. Sand and properly paint all exposed wooden surfaces same color as the stucco.

g. Reference SOW page 7, paragraph 15a (and similar to other buildings) - Clarify remove and replace soffit preparation.

A9g. Remove existing vinyl from fascia and soffit, and expose wood facia, soffit, and rafters. Sand and properly paint all exposed wooden surfaces same color as the stucco.

h. Clarify project timeline for stucco installation.

- Clarify if Government will substitute wood or cement siding products prior to proposals due.

A9h. Stucco installation is temperature dependent (see specifications). Government will not allow substitution of the stucco with other products.

i. Clarify removal of all exterior non-used phone and date lines for all buildings.

A9i. Remove all utility lines, from the buildings, which are not being used.

j. Clarify the difference between two horizontal platforms on porches and preparation thereof for all buildings.

A9j. Replace in kind the existing concrete porch and landing slabs measuring approximately 15 feet long by 6 feet wide by 9 inches thick (Replace the entire porch and landing slabs) and concrete step from walkway slab to landing and porch slabs. Remove decorative block wall located across from the front door, replace in kind both vertical support posts along with appropriate attachments to roof beam and concrete slab. Vertical posts are to be painted to match exterior paint color.

k. Reference SOW, page 12, paragraph 8A (and similar to other buildings) - clarify smoke detector replacement and location(s) for all buildings.

A9k. Install or replace new smoke detectors in all living rooms, bedrooms, dining areas, and hallways.

l. Reference SOW, page 40, paragraph 16d – Are brown slats are to be used to match existing?

A9l. Use slats matching existing color and type.

m. Reference SOW, page 41, paragraph 18b & 18d (and similar to other buildings) - Clarify deletion of both paragraphs in current SOW.

A9m. From Page 41 Items 18b & 18d:

18.b: This Work item shall remain. All steps, landing, and porch shall be replaced in kind and size.

18.d: This requirement will be removed from the work required. The walkways in the backyards will not be removed.

Remove and discard properly the existing walkway concrete slabs approximately 14 feet long by 3 feet wide in the backyard. Compact the native materials exposed after removal of the slabs. Pay item for this work including all materials will be part of the Lump Sum Concrete Surfaces Upgrade Pay Item.

n. Reference RFQ, Section 1(h), page 9 – Our representations and certifications are current in SAM;

Does the Government prefer that information in Section 4, pages 28-31 be resubmitted with our proposal (52.204-8)?

A9n. If the representations and certifications in the SAM registration are current, there is no requirement to submit the representations and certifications included in Section 4.

Additional Clarification by the BLM:

Houses identified as 109, 130 and 149 add to 12.b and Houses identified as 167, 170 and 189 add to 11.b, see below:

Garage Upgrade

b. Install appropriately drywall sheets including use of tapes and joint compound on all walls and ceilings. Include removing and replacing existing drywall and insulation installed on the common wall between the house and garage. Pay item for this work including all materials will be part of the Lump Sum Garage Upgrade Pay Item.

Pre-Solicitation Site Visit Attendees (08/18/21):

Parviz Noori – BLM Sierra Brewer – BLM Shane Campbell – BLM Rick Norman – Norman Ventures NV Greg Bristol – C&C Contracting